• ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    arrow-down
    7
    ·
    1 year ago

    If you’re actually trying to manage your weight, do not increase your physical activity. Reduce how much you eat.

    Most sites say running burns around 60 Calories/km or 100 Calories/mile. The average person burns 2,000 Calories a day by existing. If you ran a 10k every day, then you’d be using 2,600 Calories a day.

    The difference in effort between “existing” and “runs a 10k every day” is massive, but the difference in Calories burned is equivalent to a large fry from McDonalds. So would you rather run a 10k or just take the fries out of your order?

    • andyMFK@reddthat.com
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      18
      ·
      1 year ago

      I mean, it’s weird to encourage people not to increase their physical activity if they’re trying to manage their weight.

      While it’s true you can’t out-train a bad diet, exercising, even for just 30 minutes every other day will go a long. Running a 5k will take about half an hour depending on your fitness level and will burn a good 350 calories or so, more if you’re overweight. Do that 3 times a week and that’s the equivalent of a about 2 meals you’ve burnt off (or one really unhealthy meal). Plus getting outside and exercising is good for your mental health.

    • CookieOfFortune@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      1 year ago

      It’s more complicated than that. Decreasing calorie intake can also decrease your basal metabolism, whereas exercise can increase it.

      For some people exercise is more effective than simply eating less.